will you/would you go to a chiropractor?

[AnnieW625]

I work in workers compensation so we see over treatment with little improvement on a majority of the cases where a chiro. is being used as the primary physician. We do have a chiropractic consultant (employed by an outside company) who helps us with our chiro. cases and if I ever needed a chiro. for anything (like the baby positioning thing) I'd ask him for recommendations, but honestly I think I am still way too skeptical to see one on a regular basis for regular medical treatment. I even have friends who are chiros. in Nor Cal and went to the best school for chiro. in California (Palmer) and I am still skeptical. Other than that my DH did go to one about 8 yrs. ago for back pain and it did seem to help but he too was fed the line that he needed to go back at least once a week for a long period of time for his problem to not come back. I think he went 4 or 6 times in a month and hasn't had any problems.

[dukie41181]

my family does see a chiropractor. Chiropractic is about health maintenance and thus chiropractic care is recommended on a more frequent basis. Its preventative for otherwise healthy individuals. Its adjusting spinal subluxations to help reach optimal health (immunity, functioning, etc). I believe in it very much!

[Melaine]

Yes. I have gone many times and will probably start going again. I definitely think they have a place, but I don't believe they can take the place of a primary care physician....is that what you were talking about?

[crl]

I never have and really doubt that I ever will.

Catherine

[MolieMuts]

I went to the chiro after having DS2 because a herniated disc flared up. I didn't see any improvement and they actually recommended a back specialist for injections. I saw much improvement after going to the PT and almost 100% improvement after getting the steroid injections. I was really hoping that the chiro would help so that I could avoid all the other treatment, but it didn't.

[codex57]

I would. I think they definitely have their place. It's just that they make a lot of claims on a variety of ailments that I'm highly skeptical of. Still, a regular MD often is overly skeptical of many alternate treatments and also has an inflated sense of what their own profession can do.

I view them as on the same level as physical therapists. I laugh when either tries to call themselves "Doctor."

[♥ms.pacman♥]

i would and have gone to one. i think they can really help. too bad most health ins. don't really cover the cost of going to one. my DH on the other hand, is of the camp that thinks they are all "quacks".

[Andi98989]

I see one on a regular basis, but purely for the relief it gives me in relation to my back/neck. Mine will go on and on about how an adjustment can help you get over a cold faster, fix asthma, etc... I'm not a big believer in that. All I know is I used to have a lot more trouble with my back, shoulders, and neck. I can tell when my neck needs to get adjusted; I start getting some killer headaches and the adjustment fixes it very quickly.

[saschalicks]

I did throughout all 3 pregnancies. I couldn't have survived the pain w/out it.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I don't really see the benefit. I'm a bit jaded b/c it seems like they should be able to "fix" the problem at least after some amount of time but people go regularly for years. I kind of think when you start getting "adjustments" other things start getting out of whack and next thing you know you are hooked and need to get treatments. I like things like physical therapy instead. Or just getting a massage. I completely admit that I have never gone and could be talking out my butt. And I totally acknowledge all the work the Dr.s do put in.

Beth

[newg]

I saw one while I was in high school and college.....tennis related........the one I saw while in highschool actually came to watch me practice a few times because he said it would help him better understand what my posture problems were while playing so he could better fix my back problems...........and he did fix them and I stopped going to him..........I went to a while in college to re-tweek some things.
I think they have their place.....and can be very benificial if you find a good one.

[Melaine]

I'm a bit jaded b/c it seems like they should be able to "fix" the problem at least after some amount of time but people go regularly for years. I kind of think when you start getting "adjustments" other things start getting out of whack and next thing you know you are hooked and need to get treatments.

I definitely see where you are coming from with that. It does seem that people have to continue the treatments to have relief. But I think they would say in most cases that our lifestyles put our bodies in very unnatural positions and if we were less sedentary, etc. our alignment would probably *stick* better.

I worked as a nanny for a husband and wife who were both chiropractors and I did think they were a little over-the-top with *some* of their claims. For instance, she would have me get an adjustment if I started getting a cold. I never felt that helped at all. I do understand the reasoning, but it didn't help me. It was all free to me, so I was happy to give it a shot though.

I had/have a lot of back and neck pain from an ancient gymnastics injury. My neck is totally out of line in Xrays, even I can see it. It just goes back to being out of line when I don't get it adjusted. And I do have neck pain when I'm out of line (so basically all the time).

When I was having a lot of tingling and numbness after my C-section (months later), the chiropractor totally took care of the problem, so I do think they can be very helpful.

[billysmommy]

We all (myself,DH and the boys) have for a variety of injuries/issues. The majority of insurance companies here in the NE cover chiropractic care.
A very beneficial treatment program is chiropractic care followed by PT.

Ideally you want a chiro who will address all the soft tissue issues in addition to any subluxations. Many are also certified in ART (active release technique) and Graston Technique and are listed as providers on those websites.

www.activerelease.com

www.grastontechnique.com

[mom2binsd]

I saw one when I was pregnant with DS, had sciatica pain early on and the adjustments and massage treatments did wonders (too bad it didn't prevent hemmoroids!). I don't thin I would consider a chiro as my PCP though.

[Tondi G]

I have been to and still go to a chiropractor. I love the idea of once a month treatments to keep things aligned. My insurance covers something like $25/visit... so we have to pay the difference of $40. When I was pregnant it helped tremendously with sciatica and I have jaw issues and can feel a total difference in the way my bite lines up after an adjustment!

[ThreeofUs]

I too am a skeptic. My mom dragged me to chiropractors and I never felt better - though I did like the massage!

I have, however, found a chiropractor a friend of mine calls "The Wizard", who really works with people and helps them considerably. I saw him for pain shooting down my arm during pg, and he helped me with a massage to the pain site that really worked, as well as shoulder exercises to alleviate the problem at the source.

[jellibeans]

I think that going to a chiropractor is a "dont knock it until you try it" kind of thing. My parents took me to a chiropractor when I was in highschool because I played sports and was having back spasms. We went to the ER and all they could do was give me muscle relaxers. I was 17 and my parents weren't happy with that. She was my first chiropractor. After college, I started going to one that put me on a treatment plan. I went in for a few weeks to get manipulated and do physical therapy. The thought there is that if you fix the spine, you have to make the muscles around it strong while it is fixed. Hope that makes sense. Anyways, I would never trust anyone that didn't give me an x-ray to look at what is going on first. But since we have moved and I don't have a chiro here, I hurt often, I am back to being constipated(sorry if TMI) and have headaches. I just don't have the time to go because of my kids and I don't wnat to go at nighttime when my husband is home. Someday, I will go again.

[Corie]

I'd love to try a chiropractor to see if he/she could help with my migraines.

[Melaine]

I'd love to try a chiropractor to see if he/she could help with my migraines.

It's worth a try. My parents and sister have all had success with the chiropractor for treating their migraines.

[codex57]

I'd love to try a chiropractor to see if he/she could help with my migraines.

I don't know enough about migraines and their causes, so I say give it a shot.

My skepticism comes from things such as curing colds, etc.

[smilequeen]

I am a believer in alternative healthcare for sure, but I am a bigger believer in long standing techniques like acupuncture and dietary changes. I have seen an acupuncturist with some regularity, especially for fertility issues and during pregnancy.

I have never had a reason to go to a chiropracter. I do believe they have their place for neck/back/etc. issues. I am skeptical of the claims many of them make that go way beyond that.

[Sillygirl]

For back pains, they're about equivalent to PT or other treatments. For things like asthma, diabetes, cancer, what have you - sheer nonsense.

[carolinamama]

I have gone to a chiropractor and felt that he really helped. It was after the birth of DS2. I had a separated pubis symphasis and could not really walk. I was in extreme pelvic pain as well as in my si joints. PT wouldn't touch me until I was 6 week postpartum so I went to a chiro since it was really my only option. I should say that this was NOT in lieu of an MD. I saw an orthopedist - had x-rays and even an MRI of my lower back to rule out nerve issues affecting my upper hips. He could offer me nothing but meds. I didn't see that as a fix since my whole pelvis just felt so out of whack. I really credit that chiro with getting me back on my feet but it wasn't the only treatment that I had.

I keep saying that I'm going to go back for an adjustment since I think it would help my back feel looser and have more movement, but I never find the time. Maybe some day....

[Indianamom2]

Well, I've always been a skeptic about chiroprators, but my DH had been a few times, so about 2-3 years ago, since I had been having a ton of neck/shoulder pain (from stress) and headaches, I decided to give it a whirl.

The chiropractor I saw was very gentle and seemed very professional (x-rays/physical first) He would not jerk me all around and crack everything. It was quite gentle manipulation. However, their treatments included deep-tissue massage (unbelievably nice and well worth it!) and electronic muscle stimulation as well as the adjustments. If the appt. was an hour long, the "cracking" portion was usually only 5 minutes of that.

I have no idea if the manipulation or the massage made the difference, but I did get long lasting relief from all the pain I had been having. In fact, I haven't had the same neck/shoulder pain since then.

So, I guess I think it's worth a shot.

[bubbaray]

For pain related to spinal conditions, there is some evidence-based medicine studies that support short-term use of chiro.

There is zero evidence-based medicine to support the use of chiro care in all other situations. For example, contrary to what one chiro who's children attended our previous daycare told me, chiropractors can NOT replace the need for childhood immunizations with spinal adjustments. Food allergies are not cured by adjustments (nor is an anaphylactic reaction). I could go on, but you get my drift.

So, yeah, like others have said, there is a limited place for chiro care. Certainly not the broad type of care they practice here, though. I know people who ONLY see chiros, for all things medical.

[Carrots]

Never have, never will.

*Edited to say: I should never say "never", but I don't plan on seeing one in the future.*

[mctlaw]

I'm skeptical, but I am an insurance defense attorney and day in and out I see bills for chiros for thousands of dollars for what amounts to a hot pack and maybe a back crack or two that took all of 1 minute to perform. The chiros' bills are usually *far* more than the MD and physical therapist bills.

That said, my mom has gone to one for years and obviously she must think it helps. I tried it once and it did absolutely nothing for me.

[maybeebaby08]

When I was twelve years old I began getting migraine headaches 3-4 times a week, it was horrible, I couldn't be exposed to light or get out of bed. I went to specialists, had mri's, cat scans, just about every test, and no one could figure it out or help me. As a last resort my mom took me to a chiropractor and that was the only thing that worked, it was a combination of adjustments and physical therapy. I had to go about 3 times a week for the first six months or so, but it cut my migraines out almost completely. For the past fifteen years I maybe get 3 or 4 migraines a year if that. I think if you find a good chiropractor they can be very helpful.

[m448]

A chiro saved the nursing relationship with my second child. It wasn't that I didn't know how to nurse (I was still nursing my 2 year old at the time LOL) but that he was asynchlitic for quite a while in the womb and refused to take one side when nursing. The LC diagnosed it but my doula was the one who told me about the chiro and how on babies they used the clicker and not hands on manipulation. One visit and he was taking both sides. Three visits and the range of motion on his neck was complete. I was a skeptic but I can't deny what I saw with my own eyes.

[Melanie]

Yes I do. That is who I go to first for just about everything, aside from back/neck pain but also ear/sinus/etc. My son (baby at the time) suffered rounds and rounds of awful antibiotics for ear pain with responses of "I guess that is just how his ears are." Once we started chiro he almost never had one again. I, personally, have had ear pain and gone and immediately felt my ears draining and didn't need ABX. I could go on and on about the health benefits. The short of it is that if your spine is out of alignment, and the nerves are being pinched (even slightly enough that you cannot feel typical 'pinched nerve' pain) just how do you expect the message to get to your body from your brain, properly?

I have an adult friend who wet the bed until middle school, nothing helped. Pills, alarms, bribes, nothing. One visit to the chiro and that was it.

I hate that the chiro charges my insurance way less than an MD does, but I have to pay so much more in my co pay. :(

[billysmommy]

A chiro saved the nursing relationship with my second child. It wasn't that I didn't know how to nurse (I was still nursing my 2 year old at the time LOL) but that he was asynchlitic for quite a while in the womb and refused to take one side when nursing. The LC diagnosed it but my doula was the one who told me about the chiro and how on babies they used the clicker and not hands on manipulation. One visit and he was taking both sides. Three visits and the range of motion on his neck was complete. I was a skeptic but I can't deny what I saw with my own eyes.


The clicker is called an Activator :)

[m448]

LOL thanks. It does sound like I'm saying he used a TV remote. Ahh the fog of that first week PP is wondrous thing.

[Clarity]

I see one on a regular basis, but purely for the relief it gives me in relation to my back/neck. Mine will go on and on about how an adjustment can help you get over a cold faster, fix asthma, etc... I'm not a big believer in that. All I know is I used to have a lot more trouble with my back, shoulders, and neck. I can tell when my neck needs to get adjusted; I start getting some killer headaches and the adjustment fixes it very quickly.

:yeahthat: I get headaches and my chiro has done wonders for them. I did see him somewhat regularly at first, but now I only call him when needed. One of my friends uses the same chiro and he helped keep her son from getting ear tubes.

[Jo..]

No. I don't trust them.

My mother went throughout my childhood and wound up having multiple back surgeries and herniated disks and is mostly an invalid now. Dunno if the problem was made better or worse by the chiropractor.

DH's father also goes to see a chiropractor weekly, and his back hurts him ALL THE TIME.

[doberbrat]

my kids go, my dogs go and I go.

I owe my life to my chiro. I have fibromyalgia and was headed for disability when I started seeing this chiro. I was heavily medicated 24/7 after a few months' treatment, I came off all drugs and stayed off. I go for maintenance every few weeks.

and I do go for colds, migraines etc. and it does shorten/lessen the symptoms for the most part. when stuff goes around our playgroup, dd1 either doesnt get it or getrs a much milder version. there are certainly quacks, but IMO a skilled chiro is worth their weight in gold

[kijip]

I have never seen the need but I know others swear by it.

I went once when I was pregnant because I was throwing everything at the wall to see what stuck to solve my back pain- I saw my NP midwife, my FP MD, a PT, a chiro and a massage therapist. It didn't help, but I turned out to have a MASSIVE kidney infection that initially presented with no fever. I was hospitalized. I can't say that the chiro hurt anything because frankly, it was only diagnosed through BBB. :grouphug: All of the professionals missed it.

[shilo]

I view them as on the same level as physical therapists. I laugh when either tries to call themselves "Doctor."



wow. ok. so what would you prefer someone who has gone thru four years of undergraduate education, a 3.5 to 4 year doctoral program, internship, residency or fellowship year, practices an evidence based model of care and pursues rigorous continuing education, sits for state board exams as well as national exams, often belong to an equivalent professional association as MD's, DO's, DDS's, etc., often pursue clinical specialty and sit for intense board exams in that specialty, and participate in scientific inquiry to advance the science and art be called?

and for the record, i am not a DPT nor a PhD in PT. i'm a dual master's ABD (all but dissertation) and plan to stay that way at this point in my life. but i would NEVER, EVER deride an individual of ANY profession for a title they have earned.

[shilo]

For back pains, they're about equivalent to PT or other treatments.


the 1998 cherkin study published in '98 in NEJM did pretty much find just that - no real difference in outcomes between medical intervention only, PT and chiropractic. but the single largest epidemiological study to date that i'm aware of on the subject came later and would be the UCLA low-back pain study. it compares medical treatment alone, medical treatment with physical therapy, chiropractic alone and chiropractic with physical modalities. i'm pretty sure i remember reading that they also looked at cost of care as well, but i think that was published separately.

anyhoo, abstracts of:
f/u at 6 mos: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12394892
f/u at 18 mos: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16540862

hth ;).

[shilo]

would i personally? probably not. but honestly, that's just because altho the risk of stroke or disc herniation with spinal manipulation is very rare, you only have to see a patient walk in after once to be scared sh!tless of it. and i've seen one of each in my career. (for the record, i wouldn't let anyone manipulate my cervical spine (neck), regardless of profession for this reason).

BUT - i'm not one of those PT's who would tell people out of hand that they should not see a DC. i think it can have it's place as a complementary therapy for some people. and i won't deny that there is a body of evidence that may point to spinal manipulations being effective in the treatment of acute injury/pain. but also keep in mind that most orthopedic PT's have advanced training that covers spinal manipulation (cracking) as well. we just call it a grade 5 mobilization instead of an adjustment.

just to differentiate between chiropractORS and chiropractIC for a moment...

there are PT's who i wouldn't trust as far as i could throw them. same with DC's. there are also some really fantastic practitioners out there - PT and DC alike. There are some chiropractor's who do practice evidence based care and back it up with the knowledge and skills to really help their patients. and frankly, i think a not insignificant part of what makes a DC like this a great DC is that many are excellent salespeople. and if you don't think that matters, look at all of the studies that have been done on patient satisfaction effecting long term outcomes. part of treating the whole patient is often inspiring them to want to help themselves. and i honestly think there are a lot DC's out there that do this better than some PT's. so if you're lucky enough to find a good chiropractOR and that works for you, more power to you IMHO.

as a PT, do i have some reservations about some of the fundamentals of chiropractIC that many DC's consider essential to their practice? yeah. i do. i have not seen the scientific evidence to back up the concept of 'vertebral subluxations' - anatomically and biomechanically speaking, they don't really exist in any scientific method we have to observe them. not in anatomical examination, not in interrater physical examination, not in still imaging, not in dynamic imaging, not in EMG's, etc, etc. it should also then follow that i have not seen the scientific evidence to support the assertion that these subluxations are responsible for disease and dysfunction. there is also no evidence to support the assertion that compromised 'neural integrity' causes diseases like asthma, diabetes, etc or that changing said neural integrity via manipulations has an effect on the function of our organs. there is also a much greater percentage of the population that should never be manipulated IMO than usually is by the average DC practitioner - especially over time. so it also stands to reason that i don't think the evidence supports routine (maintenance) manipulation for most individuals.

aren't you glad you asked ;). hth, and just want to clarify that i'm not at all trying to speak for all PT's, as i know opinions run the gamut amongst us. just my 2 cents.

[MoJo]

I've never been, nor have any of my family members. I'm the one asking about baby positioning yesterday, so it's something that's now been recommended to me by one of my midwives and something I'm trying to look into.

I do know a few people who swear by them. I had never heard of them helping migraines, but after the stories here, if I decide to go, I think I'll mention that to her, too.

[JTsMom]

I have, and would again in a heartbeat. I agree with all of the pp's that I think they are useful for back/neck issues, and not much more though (although, I seem to remember there being some studies that showed they can also help with chronic ear infections). Most recently, I saw one after I was rear-ended, and having tons of pain and headaches. After the first week, I was so much better. It took several weeks of regular treatment, but by the end, I was a changed woman.

[June Mommy2]

I have not personally seen a chiro but we had amazing success with my DS's chronic ear infections when he was younger. He had been on tons of antibiotics and we were 'red flagged' at the pediatrician for tubes, which I was willing but not wanting to do. We began taking him to the chiro right before he turned 2. He hasn't had an ear infection since. He actually has not been to the pediatrician for a sick visit or been on medication since either.

[AngelaS]

I go every month. I started going after I got in a car wreck. I saw him several times a week at first, then weekly and now monthly, for maintenance. I LOVE getting adjusted. It feels SO good. :)

My dh goes every month too. 20 years ago, he was hit by a car and sent flying. At the time, they thought he was fine, but as he's aged, they've learned he's already got some lower back bone degeneration and there are times when he can't bend over or sit. Every time, within about 3 adjustments, he's back to normal.

I only go to Palmer trained doctors. They rock. :) I wish I'd been more up on chiros when I had a colicky baby--I should've taken her. Oh, and last summer when I sprained my ankle something wicked? He cracked that sore puppy back into place and it felt FINE after that. Amazing....

[ladysoapmaker]

I've been to a chiro several times. When I was pregnant with DS#2 I some how threw out my left shoulder. and it never healed properly. I dealt with it but it clicked when I swam. Fast forward to the birth of DD#1 and I ended up with it out of whack again. I was complaining to a friend and she gave me the name of her chiro. He is great. it was a 10 minute adjustment then he adjusted my back which was off due to the over compensation for the shoulder. and I needed to come back about 2 other times. Then he gave me some exercises to help. I've been back once since then and it was after DD#2's birth and the shoulder went out again and it was a slight adjustment to fix.

I personally think chiropractors are in the same category as lawyers. As in there are good ones and bad ones and unfortunately the bad ones get the most press.

Jen

[kmm]

I have gone after going to my regular doctor many times. My back pain was severe and I was unable to do practically anything. The only thing my doctor did was give me pain killers which made me sleep. The chiropractor actually took care of the problem.

[Moneypenny]

I've been to two lauded chiropractors (spent about a year going to each one) for both chronic back problems and migraines (and committed to putting in the time for appointments 3x/week for 2 months, 2x/week for 2 months, 1x/week forever...). I really really wanted it to work, but it didn't.

I know people who swear by them, and I'm glad they have found something that works for them. For me, my back would feel better for a few hours after the adjustment, but then it would hurt again. It never did a thing to reduce my migraines at all.

[dukie41181]

I would. I think they definitely have their place. It's just that they make a lot of claims on a variety of ailments that I'm highly skeptical of. Still, a regular MD often is overly skeptical of many alternate treatments and also has an inflated sense of what their own profession can do.

I view them as on the same level as physical therapists. I laugh when either tries to call themselves "Doctor."

Chiropractors can call themselves doctor because they ARE DOCTORS! They are DC (doctor of chiropractic) rather than MD (medical doctor) or DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine). Physical therapsits on the other hand are not doctors. I give chiropractors the respect they deserve as they have been through extensive training, just like traditional doctors.

[dukie41181]

wow. ok. so what would you prefer someone who has gone thru four years of undergraduate education, a 3.5 to 4 year doctoral program, internship, residency or fellowship year, practices an evidence based model of care and pursues rigorous continuing education, sits for state board exams as well as national exams, often belong to an equivalent professional association as MD's, DO's, DDS's, etc., often pursue clinical specialty and sit for intense board exams in that specialty, and participate in scientific inquiry to advance the science and art be called?

and for the record, i am not a DPT nor a PhD in PT. i'm a dual master's ABD (all but dissertation) and plan to stay that way at this point in my life. but i would NEVER, EVER deride an individual of ANY profession for a title they have earned.

VERY VERY VERY well said! :bighand: I couldn't agree more!

And for the record, I am not a doctor but I have been to graduate school, sat for state licensing exams, earned post-graduate training hours, attend continuing education courses for my profession and, whether or not my profession is something someone else sees value in, I would prefer for my efforts to be at least acknowledged with respect! Personally, I don't see the value in cosmetic surgery (in most cases) but I would NEVER belittle plastic surgeons on the whole. Just like my pregnancy was never overseen by an OB/GYN but I wouldn't belittle them either. Its just not where my comfort lied. Lets all pay respect to the hard work of others even if we don't philosophically "line up."

[shilo]

Physical therapsits on the other hand are not doctors. I give chiropractors the respect they deserve as they have been through extensive training, just like traditional doctors.


you are incorrect. as of february 2010, 96% of the physical therapy programs in the united states are accredited to award doctoral degrees.

there are 3 different types of doctoral degrees physical therapists can earn in addition to many which go on to phd programs in other areas of scientific inquiry. "professional" DPT programs award a doctoral degree for the entry level physical therapist they are equivalent in our field in breadth, depth, scope, intensity and rigor to those who pursue degrees in any other doctoring profession (MD, DO, DDS, OD, PsyD, DPM, PharmD or DC for that matter). there are "transition" DPT programs that allow therapists who went to school at a time when the entry level to the profession was different (almost all programs in the US have been at at least a master's level for more than 2 decades now), which award a DPT. and there are programs that award an advanced clinical science degree to DPT's who DPT's who want to pursue advanced clinical practice (often at major university research and teaching hospitals).

if you give "chiropractor's the respect they deserve as they have been thru extensive training", why would you not give the same to physical therapists who have achieved a commensurate level of expertise in a field of study that is arguably a significantly broader scope of care to master?

[codex57]

Chiropractors can call themselves doctor because they ARE DOCTORS! They are DC (doctor of chiropractic) rather than MD (medical doctor) or DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine). Physical therapsits on the other hand are not doctors. I give chiropractors the respect they deserve as they have been through extensive training, just like traditional doctors.

Au contraire. There's a Doctor of Physical Therapy. My sis is gonna be one in a couple of months. They can call themselves doctors too.

I didn't explain, but I have a very narrow view of who I think can be called "doctor." Technically, I can be called "doctor" too, but I think that's absolutely ridiculous. Same thing goes for a lot of PhDs, and other doctorates like chiros, PTs, etc. I'll do it to be polite, but unless they are PhDs in certain fields, MDs (still deciding on DOs, altho I lean against it), and dentists (I'm working out how I feel about dentists cuz not all are the same), I really don't consider the vast majority of doctorates out there to be true "doctors" worthy of that title. The title "doctor" implies certain things. Frankly, I think too many programs are a bit too cavalier about assuming that title. Including my profession (altho I don't think any of us call ourselves "doctors"). My wife is in another profession that is a doctorate, but they only call themselves "doctors" in grad school. No one else does. I think their grad schools encourage it to promote themselves as the equivalent of MDs, which is what a lot of doctorate programs do, and that's my main issue with that.

And just cuz I have an issue with their title, doesn't mean I disrespect the profession. I think it's a valuable profession. It has its place in society, as do the other doctorate programs. It's just that I consider the title of "doctor" to be special and have special meaning, and it should be reserved for certain professions/areas of study. I feel like it's been "dumbed down."

[billysmommy]

"professional" DPT programs award a doctoral degree for the entry level physical therapist they are equivalent in our field in breadth, depth, scope, intensity and rigor to those who pursue degrees in any other doctoring profession (MD, DO, DDS, OD, PsyD, DPM, PharmD or DC for that matter).

I respectfully disagree with this. DPT programs are generally 6.5-7 year entry-level programs. DC's typically have a 4 year BS in a health-related field and then chiro school is an additional 5 years following that.
A lot of the education is similar with PT's however DC's education is more extensive and includes radiology and pathology training among others.
Not all chiro schools are equal either. There are some that are "straight" schools where adjustments are looked at as the "end all be all". Others such as Palmer (in Iowa) and NYCC (in New York) have a medical background and the DC's do rounds with MD and DO students at area hospitals Most of these look at adjustments as just part of their repertoire in treating patients.

[srhs]

The clicker is called an Activator :)
I :heartbeat: the activator.
Yes, I get regular adjustments. As do both boys. DH would love to, but his dumb disability insurance has a "no-back-injury-compensation" component if he's seen a chiro in 2 years.

[codex57]

I respectfully disagree with this. DPT programs are generally 6.5-7 year entry-level programs. DC's typically have a 4 year BS in a health-related field and then chiro school is an additional 5 1/3 years following that.

Really? Not based on stuff I've read. They don't seem any longer than DPTs, Pharmacists, etc. 2-4 yr undergrad, then 4 yr to get your DC.

The main reason I hold MDs to a higher level is cuz while they're called "doctor" once they graduate med school, they really can't practice until another 3+ yrs doing internships and residencies. It's after they finish all that that they really become a "doctor" in the public. That extra training is why I hold them up higher. Most other doctorates don't require that, so unless they do, I prefer not to refer to them by the title "Doctor." For some PhDs, even tho it might not technically take 7 yrs post undergrad, the fields are sufficiently "difficult" in my view (including the interviews/papers/research/etc) that I cut them some slack. I mean, really, should a lawyer be called a "Doctor"?

[billysmommy]

Really? Not based on stuff I've read. They don't seem any longer than DPTs, Pharmacists, etc. 2-4 yr undergrad, then 4 yr to get your DC.

DC schools are termed in trimesters. So it is an additional 1O tri's after undergrad. (So that makes it an additional 5 yrs instead of 5 1/3 as I said before - I'll correct that). Most DC's choose to go straight through with no breaks so the schooling is over in 3 1/3 years. Some do go to chiro school with a 2 year degree but the vast majority have a 4 year degree before entering.
DPT's for entry-level are 6.5-7 years straight through with summers off for all except one of the years.

[dukie41181]

you are incorrect. as of february 2010, 96% of the physical therapy programs in the united states are accredited to award doctoral degrees.

there are 3 different types of doctoral degrees physical therapists can earn in addition to many which go on to phd programs in other areas of scientific inquiry. "professional" DPT programs award a doctoral degree for the entry level physical therapist they are equivalent in our field in breadth, depth, scope, intensity and rigor to those who pursue degrees in any other doctoring profession (MD, DO, DDS, OD, PsyD, DPM, PharmD or DC for that matter). there are "transition" DPT programs that allow therapists who went to school at a time when the entry level to the profession was different (almost all programs in the US have been at at least a master's level for more than 2 decades now), which award a DPT. and there are programs that award an advanced clinical science degree to DPT's who DPT's who want to pursue advanced clinical practice (often at major university research and teaching hospitals).

if you give "chiropractor's the respect they deserve as they have been thru extensive training", why would you not give the same to physical therapists who have achieved a commensurate level of expertise in a field of study that is arguably a significantly broader scope of care to master?

You have educated me, thats why. I have never before heard of (or met) a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Again, based on my previous posts, I long to give EVERYONE the professional respect they deserve. So I officially stand corrected, some physical therapists are in fact doctors. I'd originally only referenced that because of the original post I was responding to.

[billysmommy]

The main reason I hold MDs to a higher level is cuz while they're called "doctor" once they graduate med school, they really can't practice until another 3+ yrs doing internships and residencies. It's after they finish all that that they really become a "doctor" in the public. That extra training is why I hold them up higher. Most other doctorates don't require that, so unless they do, I prefer not to refer to them by the title "Doctor." For some PhDs, even tho it might not technically take 7 yrs post undergrad, the fields are sufficiently "difficult" in my view (including the interviews/papers/research/etc) that I cut them some slack. I mean, really, should a lawyer be called a "Doctor"?

You would get a big kick out of the joke my FIL (best man) told at our wedding :)

A little background....my dad is an MD, FIL is a DMD and DH is a DC. There were many of each profession at our wedding and the joke was a big hit.
He said that they were real doctors, JAD's and Oh doctors based on people's reactions when they said they were a Dr. My dad and his colleagues were MD's so the "real" doctors, FIL and his colleagues were the JAD's or "Just a Dentist" and DH and his colleagues were the Oh doctors because when asked what type of Dr they were, they would reply a Chiropractor and people would say "Ohhhhh". :)

[codex57]

DC schools are termed in trimesters. So it is an additional 1O tri's after undergrad. (So that makes it an additional 5 yrs instead of 5 1/3 as I said before - I'll correct that). Most DC's choose to go straight through with no breaks so the schooling is over in 3 1/3 years. Some do go to chiro school with a 2 year degree but the vast majority have a 4 year degree before entering.
DPT's for entry-level are 6.5-7 years straight through with summers off for all except one of the years.

That's a pretty good length of time.

Can you tell me more about what kinds of DCs promote that they can cure colds, cancer, etc? I take it the Palmer arm doesn't make all those outlandish claims? That seems to be my last real hangup.

[jenmcadams]

Just thought I'd give my experience. I had never seen a chiropractor until a few years ago when I was in training for an Ironman. I had bad knees and bad hips and suffered a hamstring injury so I was seeing a massage therapist that rented space from a chiropractor well known for working with top runners and triathletes in CO. He stopped in one day and talked to be a little about my training/injuries and asked me to come in and see him once or twice to see if he could help. He saved my training...he employed several PTs and he and his staff helped me with exercises and treatments that kept me healthy through several months of intense training. I don't think I would have made it to race day without him....his emphasis was much more on athletes and he wasn't focused on getting you on a long term program or anything like that. It felt much more like the trainers and PTs I worked with as a college athlete.

[billysmommy]

That's a pretty good length of time.

Can you tell me more about what kinds of DCs promote that they can cure colds, cancer, etc? I take it the Palmer arm doesn't make all those outlandish claims? That seems to be my last real hangup.

That is typically from the "straight" chiropractors.

And it frustrates the more medically-based DC's to no end as that is what typically makes the news.

[dukie41181]

Au contraire. There's a Doctor of Physical Therapy. My sis is gonna be one in a couple of months. They can call themselves doctors too.

I didn't explain, but I have a very narrow view of who I think can be called "doctor." Technically, I can be called "doctor" too, but I think that's absolutely ridiculous. Same thing goes for a lot of PhDs, and other doctorates like chiros, PTs, etc. I'll do it to be polite, but unless they are PhDs in certain fields, MDs (still deciding on DOs, altho I lean against it), and dentists (I'm working out how I feel about dentists cuz not all are the same), I really don't consider the vast majority of doctorates out there to be true "doctors" worthy of that title. The title "doctor" implies certain things. Frankly, I think too many programs are a bit too cavalier about assuming that title. Including my profession (altho I don't think any of us call ourselves "doctors"). My wife is in another profession that is a doctorate, but they only call themselves "doctors" in grad school. No one else does. I think their grad schools encourage it to promote themselves as the equivalent of MDs, which is what a lot of doctorate programs do, and that's my main issue with that.

And just cuz I have an issue with their title, doesn't mean I disrespect the profession. I think it's a valuable profession. It has its place in society, as do the other doctorate programs. It's just that I consider the title of "doctor" to be special and have special meaning, and it should be reserved for certain professions/areas of study. I feel like it's been "dumbed down."


So if I am understanding your position correctly, only traditional MDs should be called doctors and other medical professions are trying to portray that they are "the equivalent of MDs" when they are referred to (or refer to themselves) as doctors?

Where we differ if that I don't think the term doctor has been "dumbed down" but it has evolved to accept alternative forms of practice. No doctor is necessarily better than the other. Just because a MD fits the more traditional definition of doctor does not mean they are necessarily better or worse than a DC, DO, DPT, etc.

While I may respectfully disagree with your position, I am just trying to understand. It is always interesting to me to hear different positions and perspectives on these boards.

And yes, technically lots of non-medical folks can be called doctors and no, I wouldn't refer to them as such in a non-academic setting.

[codex57]

So if I am understanding your position correctly, only traditional MDs should be called doctors and other medical professions are trying to portray that they are "the equivalent of MDs" when they are referred to (or refer to themselves) as doctors?

Where we differ if that I don't think the term doctor has been "dumbed down" but it has evolved to accept alternative forms of practice. No doctor is necessarily better than the other. Just because a MD fits the more traditional definition of doctor does not mean they are necessarily better or worse than a DC, DO, DPT, etc.

While I may respectfully disagree with your position, I am just trying to understand. It is always interesting to me to hear different positions and perspectives on these boards.

And yes, technically lots of non-medical folks can be called doctors and no, I wouldn't refer to them as such in a non-academic setting.

It's more of the extended education/training. Based on what billysmommy has taught me, chiropractors have what I consider a sufficiently lengthy and rigorous course of education and training to be "worthy" of the title of "doctor." My only hangup after that are some of the outlandish claims you hear from chiros, which to me would invalidate all their education and training. However, billysmommy is teaching me that those claims only come from a particular branch of chiropractors, so I'd consider the "medical" branch (the Palmer branch?) to be "real doctors" whereas the other branch would not be.

Similarly, pharmacists who did a residency would be more worthy of the "doctor" title to me, along with oral surgeon dentists and some of the other specialty dentists.

Lawyers, for example, would not be worthy of the "doctor" title (not that any of them call themselves doctors). If they wanted to, then I'd like to see law school last another year or so, with at least a year of practical training on top of that. At least the year or more of formal practical training, plus formalize the summers during school and dedicate it to training (even tho most law students do that on their own anyways).

[shilo]

I respectfully disagree with this. DPT programs are generally 6.5-7 year entry-level programs. DC's typically have a 4 year BS in a health-related field and then chiro school is an additional 5 1/3 years following that.
A lot of the education is similar with PT's however DC's education is more extensive and includes radiology and pathology training among others.
Not all chiro schools are equal either. There are some that are "straight" schools where adjustments are looked at as the "end all be all". Others such as Palmer (in Iowa) and NYCC (in New York) have a medical background and the DC's do rounds with MD and DO students at area hospitals Most of these look at adjustments as just part of their repertoire in treating patients.

whoa, wait, lets compare apples to apples here if we're going to have a discussion about this... i respectfully disagree. sorry to the OP for the hijack, but i genuinely believe that if we're going to discuss a topic in general, we should do so without perpetuating misconceptions.

most entry level DPT programs are all 7 years minimum (4 undergrad, 3-3.5 doctoral) (6.5 was the average for master's programs before the advent and shift toward doctoral degree programs) and that does not include clinical internships and residencies that are required by most programs after completing the didactic course work, but before they can sit for licensure exams. making the time to entry level more like 7.5 to 8 years for most entry level PT's. if we're comparing apples to apples, the average length of didactic course work for DC programs is 4 years (per their own accrediting body), not 5 1/3, and much of that 4th year is spent in clinical internship as well. in addition, in 1997, only 42% of enrollees in DC programs in the US had completed undergraduate bachelors degrees. the CCE, which accredits the 16 chiropractic colleges in the US _still_ does not mandate completion of a 4 year undergraduate degree today. there are many, many chiropractors in practice today who do not have an undergraduate degree. 100% of DPT programs do and always have, and over a decade ago, when the profession was into the transition from master's to doctoral, 100% of master's programs did as well. apples to apples again... defacto - if you've graduated from an accredited PT program at the master's or doctoral level in the same time frame, you have as much or more education than 58% of the practicing DC's. in fact, 100% of PT's have been required to have at a minimum a 4 year undergraduate degree in addition to their PT specific curriculum since 1978. and in the period from 1955-1978 while the AMA still controlled accreditation requirements, nearly 100% of programs did require a 4 year degree, however, the AMA did not update the standards to require it (which is what prompted the PT profession to break ties with the AMA and push the USDOE (us dept. of ed) for establishment of an independent accreditation entity separate from the AMA in 1978). defacto - pretty much every practicing licensed physical therapist under the age of 75 has an undergraduate degree in addition to their PT specific entry level/continuing training.

while i would agree that there is a lot of overlap in some areas, and that your average DC program includes sound training in radiology and pathology, most all DPT programs now include diagnostic imaging, pathophysiology/histology, differential diagnosis, and pharmacology in their curriculums as well as extensive training in neurological (stroke) rehabilitation, cardio-respiratory rehabilitation, post operative orthopedic and physical medicine rehabilitation, etc., etc. the list goes on, that DC programs do not provide training in - just as PT programs do not provide in depth training in spinal analysis for the purpose of applying adjustive techniques.

just as not all DC programs are created equally, so are not all DPT programs. altho, i would argue that because all 212 physical therapy programs are and have been nationally accredited to the same standards for more than 3 decades now that there is more continuity across the board in the level of training the average entry level therapist graduates with by comparison. all entry level PT programs "have a medical background" and there are many entry level programs that include rounding with the MD services as part of their program. heck, even my master's program more than a decade ago now included this. and i'm talking over a year of combined internship and residency where i rounded daily (as a participant, not an observer) on the post surg and neuro floors as well as bi-weekly wound rounds of a nationally recognized center.

[billysmommy]

those claims only come from a particular branch of chiropractors, so I'd consider the "medical" branch (the Palmer branch?) to be "real doctors" whereas the other branch would not be.




The more medically based branch would also include New York Chiropractic College (NYCC)

Also National, Parker (in Texas), Texas Chiropractic College

[codex57]

just as not all DC programs are created equally, so are not all DPT programs. altho, i would argue that because all 212 physical therapy programs are and have been nationally accredited to the same standards for more than 3 decades now that there is more continuity across the board in the level of training the average entry level therapist graduates with by comparison. all entry level PT programs "have a medical background" and there are many entry level programs that include rounding with the MD services as part of their program. heck, even my master's program more than a decade ago now included this. and i'm talking over a year of combined internship and residency where i rounded daily (as a participant, not an observer) on the post surg and neuro floors as well as bi-weekly wound rounds of a nationally recognized center.

I think that's part of the problem. DPT programs are currently in a state of flux (some changes happen in the middle of current programs). Headed in the direction of what I would consider to be "real" doctoral programs, but not all of them are yet. I guess chiros have the same problem. Certain chiro school require a good amount of vigorous well founded education, along with a good amount of clinical training. However, there's a whole subset of chiro schools who teach what I consider, to put it bluntly, crap.

Until it all gets sorted out and finalized and we can take a look at the minimum standards and feel comfortable, PTs and Chiros are gonna have a reputation problem. I can see PTs working out all their changes quicker than chiros, cuz we're just talking about adding courses and training and stuff for some schools. For chiros, it's wiping out a whole school of thought.

[billysmommy]

whoa, wait, lets compare apples to apples here if we're going to have a discussion about this... i respectfully disagree. sorry to the OP for the hijack, but i genuinely believe that if we're going to discuss a topic in general, we should do so without perpetuating misconceptions.

most entry level DPT programs are all 7 years minimum (4 undergrad, 3-3.5 doctoral) (6.5 was the average for master's programs before the advent and shift toward doctoral degree programs) and that does not include clinical internships and residencies that are required by most programs after completing the didactic course work, but before they can sit for licensure exams. making the time to entry level more like 7.5 to 8 years for most entry level PT's. if we're comparing apples to apples, the average length of didactic course work for DC programs is 4 years (per their own accrediting body), not 5 1/3, and much of that 4th year is spent in clinical internship as well. in addition, in 1997, only 42% of enrollees in DC programs in the US had completed undergraduate bachelors degrees. the CCE, which accredits the 16 chiropractic colleges in the US _still_ does not mandate completion of a 4 year undergraduate degree today. there are many, many chiropractors in practice today who do not have an undergraduate degree. 100% of DPT programs do and always have, and over a decade ago, when the profession was into the transition from master's to doctoral, 100% of master's programs did as well. apples to apples again... defacto - if you've graduated from an accredited PT program at the master's or doctoral level in the same time frame, you have as much or more education than 58% of the practicing DC's. in fact, 100% of PT's have been required to have at a minimum a 4 year undergraduate degree in addition to their PT specific curriculum since 1978. and in the period from 1955-1978 while the AMA still controlled accreditation requirements, nearly 100% of programs did require a 4 year degree, however, the AMA did not update the standards to require it (which is what prompted the PT profession to break ties with the AMA and push the USDOE (us dept. of ed) for establishment of an independent accreditation entity separate from the AMA in 1978). defacto - pretty much every practicing licensed physical therapist under the age of 75 has an undergraduate degree in addition to their PT specific entry level/continuing training.

while i would agree that there is a lot of overlap in some areas, and that your average DC program includes sound training in radiology and pathology, most all DPT programs now include diagnostic imaging, pathophysiology/histology, differential diagnosis, and pharmacology in their curriculums as well as extensive training in neurological (stroke) rehabilitation, cardio-respiratory rehabilitation, post operative orthopedic and physical medicine rehabilitation, etc., etc. the list goes on, that DC programs do not provide training in - just as PT programs do not provide in depth training in spinal analysis for the purpose of applying adjustive techniques.

just as not all DC programs are created equally, so are not all DPT programs. altho, i would argue that because all 212 physical therapy programs are and have been nationally accredited to the same standards for more than 3 decades now that there is more continuity across the board in the level of training the average entry level therapist graduates with by comparison. all entry level PT programs "have a medical background" and there are many entry level programs that include rounding with the MD services as part of their program. heck, even my master's program more than a decade ago now included this. and i'm talking over a year of combined internship and residency where i rounded daily (as a participant, not an observer) on the post surg and neuro floors as well as bi-weekly wound rounds of a nationally recognized center.



I am in no way diminishing a PT's education. I attended an entry-level Master's program that was 5.5 years. I graduated in May and took my state boards in June of that year. All of my clinical training was included in that 5.5 years.
A family friend is going through the DPT program right now and it is 7 years which includes all of her clinical training as well. She graduates in May and will be eligible to sit the state boards.

I'm just coming to it from a different perspective in that I went through PT school and know first-hand what it entailed. I met my DH at the end of my Jr year (3rd yr of the program) and was with him while he went through Chiropractic school and saw what his classes included. I can honestly say it was at a whole different level.

4 of the chiropractic colleges in the US require a 4 year degree for admittance. DC's also sit 4 parts of boards while going through school and then take their licensing exam upon graduation.

The 2 professions complement each other so well and some of the most efficient and cost-effective treatment outcomes we get utilize both.

[gatorsmom]

Only read the first part of your thread but my answer is no, never. No personal experience but both my dad and my DH went to chiros- many different ones over many different years- and have NEVER had any success.

Except for one. There was one who practiced some sort of Far-east type medicine on my dad. He came highly recommended. He worked wonders on my dad. But he passed away long ago and apprarently never taught anyone else his methods.

So, no.

[dukie41181]

The more medically based branch would also include New York Chiropractic College (NYCC)

There are a couple others....let me double check what they are

What about Life in Atlanta GA and Logan in St. Louis MO? I seem to recall Life is similar in model to Palmer.

[billysmommy]

What about Life in Atlanta GA and Logan in St. Louis MO? I seem to recall Life is similar in model to Palmer.

Life is a "straight" chiropractic school.

I spoke with DH and the ones he would recommend are

NYCC
National
Parker (in Texas)
Palmer West (in CA)
Palmer in FL
Texas Chiropractic College

[Corie]

So, Lori (billysmommy), what is the best way to find an awesome
chiropractor?

[billysmommy]

We generally recommend these 2 sites if someone is looking for someone in another area due to moving, going off to college, etc.
Click on the find a provider link. The DC's that are trained and certified in these techniques are generally not the adjustment-based chiros. Plus many of them have multi-disciplinary offices (mostly Chiro, PT and massage and some also have acupuncture and trainers) Most (if not all) of the DC's that are involved with pro sports teams, elite and college athletes are trained in these techniques.

www.activerelease.com
www.grastontechnique.com

[shilo]

I'm just coming to it from a different perspective in that I went through PT school and know first-hand what it entailed. I met my DH at the end of my Jr year (3rd yr of the program) and was with him while he went through Chiropractic school and saw what his classes included. I can honestly say it was at a whole different level.

i totally respect that. and we can only each come at it from our life experiences. i'm sorry if i sound defensive, i just have seen so many of my past DPT students really struggle with the lack of general knowledge by the public at large (which is undoubtedly true of both professions). so when i have the opportunity to try and correct some of those misperceptions about PT's i probably get a little over-eager.

fwiw, we had 3 in our grad. class who went on to other professional programs (and another 7 (i think at last count) who have now done transition DPT/clin sci.DPT programs and a handful more of us who have gone on to other grad school areas of study. for the three post-professional degrees - one MD (UCSF), one DC (palmer iowa) and one a MPA (phys. asst.) program at SMU (samuel merritt). wanna know who thought their subsequent program was more challenging? the PA ;). how's that for ironic?

[codex57]

Life is similar to Palmer College of Chiropractic which is different from Palmer Chiropractic University in Iowa.

I'm pretty sure Logan is similar to NYCC and Palmer CU. I'll ask DH when he gets home to make sure though.

Wait, so what's the diff btw the first Palmer and the 2nd?

[shilo]

You have educated me, thats why. I have never before heard of (or met) a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Again, based on my previous posts, I long to give EVERYONE the professional respect they deserve. So I officially stand corrected, some physical therapists are in fact doctors. I'd originally only referenced that because of the original post I was responding to.

;). you rock - what a classy response. you made my day ;). and it's probably b/c most DPT's don't use the title and unless you saw their degree on the wall or it came up for some reason, you might never know.

[AnnieW625]

Just want to say thanks for all of the interesting insight to this profession and that of physical therapists. I am in Southern California and there are a TON of chiros. around here so I think it's very easy to get jaded by the chiro. stigma even though I know there are some good ones like the one who works for us at my job. I have been lucky and haven't needed to see one and probably wouldn't rule it out, but my insurance no longer offers the benefit (they did until this year, 20 visits to a network chiro) so I'd be on my own for payments and since I know how much some of those places bill or accept for a min. payment amount it makes it a little too expensive for my budget. I guess I am in the can't say never camp, but if I do ever need to go I will not go in without my full line of research done first.

Also for what it's worth they are doctors IMHO.

[billysmommy]

Wait, so what's the diff btw the first Palmer and the 2nd?

I misspoke, I'm apologize.

Palmer (in Iowa) was the first chiropractic college in the US.
They opened a campus in California in the early 1980's and one in Florida in the early 2000's.

[codex57]

Whew. I thought I was gonna have to go by more than "Palmer" or NYCC" in deciding which chiro to go to.

[billysmommy]

i totally respect that. and we can only each come at it from our life experiences. i'm sorry if i sound defensive, i just have seen so many of my past DPT students really struggle with the lack of general knowledge by the public at large (which is undoubtedly true of both professions). so when i have the opportunity to try and correct some of those misperceptions about PT's i probably get a little over-eager.

fwiw, we had 3 in our grad. class who went on to other professional programs (and another 7 (i think at last count) who have now done transition DPT/clin sci.DPT programs and a handful more of us who have gone on to other grad school areas of study. for the three post-professional degrees - one MD (UCSF), one DC (palmer iowa) and one a MPA (phys. asst.) program at SMU (samuel merritt). wanna know who thought their subsequent program was more challenging? the PA ;). how's that for ironic?


I understand where you're coming from as well. There is quite a bit of misinformation/lack of knowledge out there about both professions and I have the same feeling about wanting to correct it, at least the stuff I have first hand experience with.

In some areas there is quite a rift between Chiropractors and PT's. We are very fortunate here in MA that both are very highly regarded. We work with many physicians, OB's, surgeons, high schools, colleges and pro athletes and all have found that the co-treatment with Chiro/PT yields great results in a sorter time-frame.

[codex57]

In some areas there is quite a rift between Chiropractors and PT's.

Interesting. You'd think they go hand in hand. Maybe it's cuz they think they compete with one another?

[dukie41181]

;). you rock - what a classy response. you made my day ;). and it's probably b/c most DPT's don't use the title and unless you saw their degree on the wall or it came up for some reason, you might never know.

Your friendly response made my day too! Thanks!

[MamaSnoo]

For example, contrary to what one chiro who's children attended our previous daycare told me, chiropractors can NOT replace the need for childhood immunizations with spinal adjustments. Food allergies are not cured by adjustments (nor is an anaphylactic reaction).

I have heard this same line a few times myself. Personally, myself and my family will not be going to the chiro. I have found massage therapy and PT very helpful though for some mild to moderate musculoskeletal problems.