chiropractor or osteopath?

[Tcr4x4]

My physio actually recommend rock climbing for my back, like you say, it stretches the muscles out and isn't very impactive.
Not tried it though, I'll stick to cycling and being in pain!

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I had poor experience with NHS physio & very good with a Chiropractor - recommended by my GP with profuse apologies & unhappiness they weren't available as an NHS option.

No 2 bad backs are the same, nor our responses to treatment, what is good for me might be terrible for you.
Go with your gut but keep an open mind & if whatever you pick as Plan A doesn't work, give different things a go until you find the one that does work for you.

one observation on Chiro's as they've taken a predictable kicking again. For all the negativity and dismissing of it you'll hear & read: bear in mind they don't get subsidised by NHS patronage and have to survive on their ability to perform, there are an awful lot of established thriving businesses out there, even in relatively small places. Pretty much everyone at mine had a similar tale of failing to find an answer previously under physio etc and/or for *free* via the NHS.

Why would people keep coming back, paying a good chunk of their own hard earned cash each time for something supposedly ineffective & mumbo jumbo or giving physical relief that is available at no cost to themselves elsewhere?

 

[srw]

There are also an awful lot of thriving and even wealthy homoeopaths - which is a treatment which has been proven to be completely useless.

I can believe that chiropractic can have an impact on lower back pain, as it involves manipulating the lower back - which is part of the repertoire of physiotherapists. But far too many chiropractors seem to believe that working the lower back will magically cure all sorts of completely unrelated conditions.

 

[MontyVeda]

I had a bad back and a disinterested doctor for a number of years, then a new doc sent me for physio who recommended a list of exercises. I said that I probably wouldn't do them by myself but did he think a pilates class would help. He replied with an emphatic 'yes' and I started doing a Monday night class about 2 years ago, (the only man!) it has been a great help and I would certainly recommend it.

dull fact of the day... Pilates was developed in the confines of a cell in Lancaster castle

 

[The Jogger]

Mrs Jogger has just been referred to a chiropractor for scoliosis so after reading this I won't hold out much hope and she will probably need some other type of treatment.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

You'll get some individuals who were lucky and had good experience with either, but both osteopathy nor chiropractic have little basis in what how we know the body actually works, and both can be seriously dangerous. The average doctor isn't go to be much use either as, unless they specialize in the area, then they get very little training in biomechanics (it was about one undergraduate lecture over the whole course at my last British university - I asked). I'd go see a reputable sports physio. They get up to date training which is relevant to what you need.

 

[slowmotion]

Why would people keep coming back, paying a good chunk of their own hard earned cash each time for something supposedly ineffective & mumbo jumbo or giving physical relief that is available at no cost to themselves elsewhere?

I can't answer that, but plenty of people spray their cash at astrologers as well.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

dull fact of the day... Pilates was developed in the confines of a cell in Lancaster castle

Well, more in an internment camp on the Isle of Man, but yes, Lancaster is where JP started developing it more systematically before he was transferred.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Osteopath. I fell of a horse, though i was ok, braved my way on for 2 years doing myself even more damage and loads of pain. Went to an Osteopath who correctly diagnosed the problem and found a few more but put me on the path to recovery. I was amazed at the range of injuries and symptoms that they can deal with and how gentle the manipulation was. She also taught me to listen to my body better and introduced me to rehabilitation Pilates. No cracking involved either.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

There are also an awful lot of thriving and even wealthy homoeopaths - which is a treatment which has been proven to be completely useless.

I can believe that chiropractic can have an impact on lower back pain, as it involves manipulating the lower back - which is part of the repertoire of physiotherapists. But far too many chiropractors seem to believe that working the lower back will magically cure all sorts of completely unrelated conditions.

Thriving and Wealthy: You could say the same about many many different businesses/business models that you may disagree with or any religion you care to mention for my taste.
I quite agree there is an element of salesmanship in it & no doubt some are keen to embellish their repertoire - the one I went to wasn't but hey ho, some builders and car salesmen are far more dis / honest than others. Embellishment for gain is hardly unique to chiropractors is it?

I wonder if the no doubt totally altruistic Physiotherapy wasn't on the NHS payroll but had to be self financing what claims some of them would make about unrelated conditions to maintain a business in a busy competitive sector?

 

[srw]

I wonder if the no doubt totally altruistic Physiotherapy wasn't on the NHS payroll but had to be self financing what claims some of them would make about unrelated conditions to maintain a business in a busy competitive sector?

They don't have to. Physiotherapy is a medically proven intervention aimed at relieving specific problems, and is very widely available privately. Very, very widely. I don't know, but given the state of NHS physiotherapy (short-sightedly cut to the bone) I wouldn't be surprised to discover that there were more private than NHS physios.

 

[Crackle]

There's certainly several private physio practises near me, one of whom I know and she is a well thought of NHS physio, who works with the British Equestrian team, sadly specialising in shoulders and I cycle past three a bit further afield which are sports injury clinics, two of which are quite new.

 

[tyred]

I would consider finding someone near you who does the Bowen Technique. I had struggled with a bad back for a number of years (probably related to poor posture sitting at a desk) and went to woman who does the Bowen technique on the recommendation of a friend and it has really sorted me out and I feel so flexible in a way I never remember feeling before.

It's all light massage with no cracking joints or anything like that and is an incredibly relaxing experience.

http://www.bowen-technique.co.uk/

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I borked my back falling out of a fast moving car and Chiro has done me wonders and I'm VERY sceptical about any alternative therapies.

I'm not sure there is a one size fits all answer for which is the best therapy.

 

[srw]

On the more dubious claims of chiropractic, and the alarming way in which chiropractors have reacted to mild scientific criticism:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BCA_v._Singh