Not all chiropractic practitioners are equal. Some are more quacks than medical, and I think that's what you found. Try another doctor. What do stress and inner ear problems have to do with lower back pain?

IÂm sure she is up selling - trying to have a whole body approach. I can sort of understand the balance thing. If this test is correct and at age 50 I am already not as stable as I could be, then learning how to be better balanced now and in the future would be a good thing  right?

But the ear lobe thing really through me for a curveÂ. I have no idea what that was measuring, but I tested *really* poorly on it. For a fee :-), we could work on stress relief stuff.

I *really* hope she is not a quack. I am a huge skeptic to begin with and really want to give this a serious try.

A chiropractor 'man-handled' me so much this past summer, that he finished off my already damaged disc. I ended up with back surgery and a very numb and weak left leg. Hopefully, this will improve, but heck if I ever go to another chiropractor.

I'm a firm believer that chiropractor = voodoo, but probably not as effective. Maybe if there was a chicken involved...

The eyes closed balance test can show balance problems - you're right about the inner ear thing - but I don't see how that would relate to chiro. If you have balance problems then see an ear doctor (there are meds for inner ear inflamation issues) and take a Tai Chi class to develop better balance. Walking at least a mile a day is supposed to improve balance too, but I think that's just because of improvements to leg muscles. Not sure though.

The stress test is almost funny! If they had told you that you were NOT stressed then you would have no reason to go back to them. I bet every single one they do comes out as "stressed" or "highly stressed". Vodoo (without the chicken)!

Uggg  you guys are really not helping!!! :-D

I tried to find a "regular" doctor. I canÂt believe how hard that is! Two good friends Drs are not taking new patients. Another is switching to a specialty field only. IÂve tried to user the "rating" sites, but have been unsuccessful with those too. I really never thought it would be so hard to find a doctor. This is why I decided to give a Chiropractor a try  at least I could get an appointment!

I googled chiropractor gives stress test and got lots of results...and almost all of them take you to a page where you take a stress quiz. It must be a new 'thing' they have going on these days. I've never had that before from any of the chiropractors I saw.

Here is a link that might be useful: search results for chiropractor gives stress test

I do not believe in chiropractic medicine either.

I had terrible trouble with my hip for a long time.

A new mattress made a HUGE difference. I am talking overnight! I was amazed at what a difference it made in how I felt. I didn't buy a fancy-schmancy mattress either. Just a decent firm one.

I also bought a good desk chair with arm rests.

Yeesh  I gave the Chiropractor $500 today. That will get me adjusted 3 times a week for 4 weeks. I went in fully committed to give this a try and if you knew me, you would know it was not an over night decision. IÂve been living with chronic back pain for at least 8 months. At first, I Googled "Lower Back Pain" and read that 90% go away with time. So, I waited. But, the truth is it is making me feel old. I canÂt do things I want to do. Some days, I canÂt even shave my legs!

If I had read all of these replies before today, I probably would have never even gone in.

DoesnÂt *anyone* have a good Chrio story to tell??? :-\

Jeri

I'm on the bandwagon too; I've had low back problems for many years and yes, it has gotten worse in the last few. I'm 48 and many have suggested I see a chiro, but I resist. I'm did a little pt but have not been good with the exercises, and do think my pilates class helps quite a bit. Have you had an x-ray, or better yet, an mri? Best to see what's going on for sure before you try anything. I have to say, if it were I, I wouldn't go back to the chiropractor.

We call them quackapractors around here!

I have never known anyone to be cured by a chiropractor... just continue for sessions until they get fed up.

What DOES work, though, is a good massage therapist.

I have read that the chiropractors' biggest secret is that sudden back problems nearly always go away on their own. I have found this to be true.

I did go for chiro for a long time and a good one can make you feel better immediately. You don't have to be in pain for days.

When I stopped going I found that the problems would eventually clear up even though I had to suffer for a while.

I found that yoga and aqua aerobics keep the problems from reoccurring so often.

Most chiros want you to sign up for a *maintenance* contract which is a rip off. They tell you that if you come in on a regular basis for adjustments you will never have a problem. They don't want you to come in whenever your back goes out and you need it. They want you to come in when you are feeling good to make more money.

A lot of them try to sell you all sorts of other junk and pay for unnecessary stuff.

One quack chiro almost crippled me for life.

Jeri,
I think you are going the right way.

I have been going to chiropractor for many years. I know some of those with the negative opinions are saying -- Yah, see you have to keep going. At the same time they keep going over and over to MDs and think nothing of it.

I have had a lot of problems taken care of by my DC. I wish I had more time right now, but I need to go somewhere this evening.

For now I will just say, don't be surprised if you are in more pain before it starts getting better. You think your problem started a matter of months ago, but it more likely started years ago, It takes longer to fix a problem then it took to create it.

Chiropractic takes care of the CAUSE of problems and MDs take care of the symptoms.

I'll try to email you later to night.

Well, I had great results from my old chiropractor. I still go back periodically when my back starts bugging me again and it makes a huge difference. It's not all in my head. My sister also used to be an ibuprofen junkie because she had chronic headaches and neck aches from a car accident. Our chiropractor told her to come in whenever she got a headache and quit all the ibuprofen. With regular adjustments and a few extra ones, she never needed pain killers anymore.

So...you already paid the money. Follow through with the four weeks with an open mind and if it doesn't help, don't go back. You might just be surprised.

Alot of people think accupuncture is a hoax too, but people have been getting it done with great success for thousands of years. Not to neccesarily compare the two, but I know alot of people who have found pain relief through chiropractic care.

Jeri, I feel your frustration. I've been through it and I know how it knocks the spirit out of you at times. After many many back surgeries and epidural injections and facet joint burnouts of nerves, this is what I know. Good shoes play a large part in eliminating back pain so I suggest you get a pair with a good arch. I wear Mephisto's (recommended by neurosurgeon) and they cost an awful lot but worth it to me. I now buy them on Ebay cheaper. I also use a Tush cush when sitting. Google it and try one. Now this is the part you may not believe would work but have an open mind. I was in the decorating forum reading the threads and read one on a person with back pain and a poster said her husband read a book and got rid of all the pain. The name of the book is HEALING BACK PAIN BY DR. JOHN SARNO. I thought, what the heck and I went and bought it. I now am free of 80 to 90% of my pain due to the book.
I'm not selling anything here, I just know what it did for me and it might work for you. According to my neurologist I should be limping and unable to do much but I do!!!!! Just so you'll know.

Yea! Some "pro" Chiro feedback! DonÂt get me wrong  I truly appreciate all the responses and am hugely skeptical going in. However, I have plunked my money down and will do everything this Dr. tells me to do. It will either be better or it will not. IÂll let yaÂll know!

Thanks for the other ideas too, I will look into the Tush Cush (sounds cool) and that book received Rave reviews on Amazon!

Now...  Can you guys/gals tell me how to find a regular Dr. to see for other stuff? IÂve never had a physical  probably time. Plus, if the Chiro doesnÂt pan out  IÂll need to move on. Perhaps this question should be a new thread? IÂve exhausted my friends and people I respect for referrals. Nada.

I'm a believer in chiropractors. I have had 2 great ones (1st one retired) and 2 not so great ones. I only go when I need something worked on. Years ago I went more often but got most of my big problems resolved. Even fixed my TMJ headaches when the doctors and dentist couldn't. Hang in there. The longer you have had the problem, the longer it takes to fix it.

I have never had the tests you mentioned but there are a lot of methods chiros use to get results. They don't necessarily all do the same adjustments/test to get the same results.

Linda

Add me to Orie post.Run as fast as you can.Get an appt w/either a neurosurgeon or ortho surgeon who specializes in backs.You may be able to rehab your back w/physical therapy.Good luck to you.

Shelley

Leaving my chiropractor when we moved to WV was harder than leaving my family, LOL. I also have lower back pain as well as neck pain. No it is not a quick or permanent fix but like anything else if it helps you handle the pain, then go for it! I also have bursitis in my left hip- the chiro cannot do much for the bursitis but they helped with the pain through message- especially the deep tissue message.

They helped me control the pain when I was working and could not take pain killers. I had been to a spine specialist, my regular MD, and several orthopedists but none were able to do anything except prescribe medications.

I have a TENS machine that is a lifesaver- it sends electrical shock to the muscles and basically masks the pain. The TENS machine is critical in my functioning. It eases the pain when I cannot take the pain killers and I can adjust the level as needed.

As you might guess from above, I do not handle pain killers well. A three times a day dose will usually last me 18 hours (I never take it as often as they say!).

Oh, and my insurance would pay for the chiropractor but not a message so that was another reason to go that route!

Both my DH and myself go to the chiropractor occasionally. I can say I have gone to some real quacks and the one I have now is great. He doesn't have me coming back over and over but tells me to come back when I think I should which is now about every six months. Mine is a pretty minor adjustment. My DH goes about once a month. As far as what you had, I have never heard of that particular test. I would have ran as fast as I could. I'm thinking you may have been taken with this one.

I really suggest that you ask around. That's what I did - word of mouth is still the best!

Good luck!

DoesnÂt *anyone* have a good Chiro story to tell??? :-\

I do. I have numerous friends who get pain relief by going to a chiropractor. I do however think the stress test might likely have been a bunch of hooey if it cost you.

I suggest you get the book linked below. It is great and has exercises to strengthen all the muscles in the back, as well as the legs and abdominals. Strong muscles will assist in holding the spine in proper alignment, thus no pain or need of adjustments. Strong muscles in the legs and abdominals aids in one's daily living and are helpful in 'protecting' the back from harm....ie lift with your legs.

I wish you well in your recovery and hope it is permanent.

Can you guys/gals tell me how to find a regular Dr. to see for other stuff? IÂve never had a physical  probably time. Plus, if the Chiro doesnÂt pan out  IÂll need to move on. Perhaps this question should be a new thread? IÂve exhausted my friends and people I respect for referrals. Nada.
Oh my. About any doctor should be able to give a physical. Maybe look for a female gynecologist, and start there with a yearly 'woman' exam and see who she might refer you to for a GP.

My GP (General Practitioner) is part of a group of doctors. There is also a nurse-practitioner in the group. If I need to see someone, I always make my appointment with her. She takes the time for me to ask my questions and gets answers to all of them. My average time with her is maybe 15 minutes where my time with a doctor is usually less than 5 minutes. My doctor always make me feel like he is way to busy to mess with any questions pertaining to whatever is afflicting me.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Healing Back Pain Naturally: The Mind-Body Program Proven to Work

I love the family Chiro that we have now. And let me tell you, I KNOW a BAD Chiro!!! I was preggers, and had some major hip pain....lets just say, he wanted to help other things too...AND make me sign a contract for the next 3 months! I walked out of that office and my only regret is that I didn't turn him in!!!!!!! I was young and didn't know many people in this area, years later he was turned in, and many people came forward...he doesn't 'practice' anymore!

Now for the good guy...and it took a LONG time until I trusted enough to go to one. Dean had the mumps when he was in his early 30, from the swelling his neck was so stiff he couldn't move it. His mother went to a quack for many years, and in his book...especially after the sicko that I had been to, he was VERY reluctant to go, but he was in major pain. He came home just singing praises of this guy.

I have suffered from migraines since I was 7 y/o. I started with our Chiro to see if he could do anything...He has helped me more than any meds have! Caryn (DD#1) has the same spine/neck and started migraines at 7 also. I had her in much earlier and she is so much better also.

He has said that he does not believe in contracts. He believes that you know your own body and you go for an adjustment when YOU need to.

NOT ALL CHIROS ARE EQUAL!!! Just like anything else out there, there are good ones, and there are those that are not good! I don't think anyone here can tell you that you will have a good experience and be healed by the Chiro you are going to.

I went to a good one.
No crazy tests.
I had shooting pain down my leg and constant headaches.
He was able to straighten me out.
He also said that when the joints pop
that they release endorfins which can be almost
addicting! That's why you see people twisting their heads
around to pop their neck or cracking their knuckles....

I totally believe in Chiropractic...I worked for one for 11 years.

IMHO....Palmer College (Davenport, Iowa) trained Chiropractors are the best. They practice the real way...none of those funky off the wall tests/gadgets and they don't push vitamins and supplements.

I took my boys from the hospital to the DC almost immediately....his non-force put their little spines in alignment and they both slept all night from day one. My oldest son suffered from colic...I took him to my boss and after a few treatments/adjustments he was so much better.

I had adjustments on a regular basis through both my Chemo bouts...if your spine is aligned, the body works more properly!

Chiropractic addresses the problems, not just the symptoms. The problem/issue did not appear over night, so you are not going to experience over night relief. Listen carefully to what your DC tells you what and what not to do in order to benefit from the adjustment/treatment.

Like the medical profession....chiropractic has it's share of "bad apples"....it just takes a good referral.

"DoesnÂt *anyone* have a good Chrio story to tell??? :-\"

I was a passenger in a car that ran into a concrete wall. The brunt of the impact was on the right-front fender/wheel, etc. -- in other words, ME. I was under the care of a neurologist and had physical therapy five times a week for over a year, with essentially no relief from the pain. I then started seeing a chiropractor and within a few weeks was feeling noticeably better.

As many others have said already, don't expect to feel total relief instantly.

As for the stress test... don't dismiss it as "bunk." When you are stressed, your muscles tense up. You don't even realize that it's happening. Tense muscles cause pain. Get rid of the stress, your muscles will loosen up, and you'll be more relaxed and comfortable.

When you climb into bed tonight, make a conscious effort to relax -- you know the routine where you start at the toes and work your way up? Where you concentrate on relaxing your toes, then your feet, then your calves, then your thighs, etc., until you finally concentrate on relaxing your back, shoulders, neck, etc. You'll be AMAZED at how tight your muscles are without even realizing that they are. That's stress.

The little clip on the ear lobe was likely nothing more than a heart rate monitor. I've got one my exercize machine.

Of late, there has been advances in infared and other techniques for various strap-on/clamp-on measurement instruments. One promising meter can measure blood sugar. I find that a bit unbelieveable, but if they can make that one work, I'm all for it.

However, I suspect that your chiropractor's device was a heart rate monitor.

Ah... but your heart rate changes when you're stressed.

If you're sitting in a somewhat comfortable chair in front of a computer, but you don't have to do anything but sit there quietly, your heart rate should go down. Your respiration rate (number of breaths you take in a specified period of time, generally one minute [though they might count breaths for 15 seconds and then multiply by four]) should also go down. So, if your heart rate (and respiration rate) either doesn't change or increases, then it is indicative of stress.

Yes! Sounds like you know the test I had. She did mention respiration rate. I was fairly flat-lined and thought that was good until I was told otherwise. In fact, she said something about 200 being good and my number was 16!

Do you know what this test is called so that I can Google it??

No, I don't know an "official name" for the test. Checking the heart rate (number of beats per minute) and respiration rate (number of breaths per minute) are exactly that - heart rate and respiration rate. But the statement "200 being good and my number was 16" is counterindicative of those two rates being checked.

The average (note I said "average" and not "normal") respiration rate for an adult at rest is 12-20 per minute (women generally would be at the lower end, men at the higher end).

The averge (again, "average," not "normal") resting heart rate has a larger variance, 60-80 beats per minute. It's at the lower end (and can even be lower than 60 bpm) for people who are very physically fit. It can vary depending on whether you're lying down or sitting up, etc., and it rises with age.

If your respiration rate was 16, I'd call that good. A respiration rate of 200 is not good.

If your heart rate was 16, I wouldn't call that good (unless you're an extremely physically fit pro athlete, and even then it would be too low), but a heart rate of 200 is definitely not good.

Another device that can operate by a clip on the earlobe would be a pulse oximeter. This displays the amount of oxygen saturation in your blood, as a percentage of what it should be. The "normal" range is 95% to 100%. If your "pulse ox" is down to 16, you should be hospitalized, but it shouldn't be 200!

So.....

As I said in an earlier post, I completely agree that a person's heart and respiration rates can be indicative of stress, and stress can cause pain. But, the woman's comment that "200 is good" is not a comment that makes sense when talking about heart and respiration rates or oxygen saturation levels.

If I were you, I'd be contacting that office for a further, and more thorough, explanation.

Jeri,
I see we can't email from your page, but I really couldn't add much more then the others, who have had good experiences, have already added.

I hope you stick with it. Chiropractic care is a way of making you as healthy as you can be. Whenever a vertabrea is misalligned it causes nerves that run through the spinal column to be pinched. These are nerves that run to, and control each and every organ in the body. When the nerve impulses are interfered with, the organ can't work properly.

What most people don't realize is, that Chiro is a field of health care that deals with nerves (not bones.)

I see my Chiro every week. I had open-heart surgery over 20 years ago and my sternum is held together with wire (it doesn't grow back together.) I need the care to keep things from shifting. When it does shift, the back (spine) also moves and I end up with various problems like: balance, heart rate and BP, water retention, constipation, numbness in arms or legs etc.

Ask your Chiro if he/she has one of those charts that show what can be affected by each of the vertetbae when it is misalligned. It might be available online.

I hope you have as much improvement as I do. You will be amazed when you get to that point.

I love my Chiro, but I only have to go once a year because when they adjust me, I hold the position really well. I had major back pain due to having kids and I just got really out of whack and it wasn't going away. My Chiro got me in, felt around, told me I was crooked, adjusted me and all was well. :) There is nothing better than being adjusted after a long time. Ahhhhh... And I was the BIGGEST skeptic before ever going. I agree that not all Chiro's are equal.

Blessings!
Haley

I absolutely am in the "pro-chiropractor" camp. Of course some chiros are quacks. But then, some MDs are quacks, as are some dentists. Just like any profession, there are the good and the not so good. You find one that you're comfortable with and trust.

Chiropractors aren't for everyone, just like actupuncture isn't, Eastern medicine isn't, etc. But I'd venture to say that if you go in with a negative attitude your predictions are likely to come true.

Suzieque

I love my Chiropractor... She literally has helped me start walking again. Oh I don't mean I was wheelchair bound, but I couldn't go on hikes and walk more than just to the mailbox. The pain in my left hip and lower back was so bad that I just couldn't sit or lay or stand or walk for any length of time. A friend recommended the one I go to, and she is no frills, just a good old fashioned Chiropractor. She has gotten me so that I can sleep through the night and I can now walk more than 3 miles on any given day. I can sit still in church for a hour and a half with literally no more excruciating pain. This woman charged me $50 for 2 exrays, and the treatments are less than $30 for each visit. I just cannot say enough about her.

I don't know about those tests mentioned, as I never had them done. But I definitely would be looking for a recommendation for a good Chiropractor. Perhaps someone at your church or where you work could offer some recommendations.

Carolyn